Four boxers make Sportico’s 2025 rich list, as a $60 million paycheck isn’t good enough for Jake Paul to make the top 25.
Boxing continues to prove itself as one of the most lucrative sports around, with four fighters featuring in Sportico’s 2025 list of the world’s 100 highest-paid athletes.
The data highlights how the top end of the sport remains financially strong, even as digital platforms and streaming reshape the way boxers make their money.
Jake Paul, despite a huge year both in and out of the ring, fell just outside the top 25 with $60 million in earnings.
Boxers in the 2025 highest-paid athletes list
Sportico’s numbers show that boxing’s biggest names pulled in more than $275 million combined in 2025. Canelo Alvarez leads the way, while Terence Crawford, Naoya Inoue, and Jake Paul all rank inside the global top 40.
The four boxers listed by Sportico in 2025 are:
- Canelo Alvarez — 2nd — $137 million
- Terence Crawford — 21st — $66 million
- Naoya Inoue — 25th — $62 million
- Jake Paul — 30th — $60 million
Canelo Alvarez remains the sport’s top earner, coming in 2nd overall with $137 million, only topped by Cristiano Ronaldo.
His income spans fight purses, global pay-per-view deals, and a growing list of brand endorsements. It’s the second year in a row he’s led all combat sports athletes.
Terence Crawford sits 21st with $66 million, thanks to a string of high-profile title fights and a rapidly expanding sponsorship portfolio. Naoya Inoue, meanwhile, continues to grow his international profile, landing 25th with $62 million.
Jake Paul ranked 30th with $60 million, driven by fight purses, media ventures, and his Most Valuable Promotions business.
Though he missed out on the top 25, Paul’s rise from content creator to one of boxing’s highest earners highlights the sport’s changing economic landscape.
Boxing’s evolving financial landscape
The 2025 rankings highlight boxing’s enduring financial strength, especially as the landscape of the sport continues to evolve.
Established champions like Alvarez and Crawford continue to draw massive purses, while newer figures like Jake Paul show how digital influence and personal branding are becoming just as valuable as titles.
Naoya Inoue’s presence in the top 40 also speaks to boxing’s growing international appeal, especially in previously untapped markets.
With markets in Asia, North America, and Latin America all expanding, the sport’s future looks secure — even as the way fans watch and follow it continues to evolve.
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